Manchester City cannot rely on Premier League match officials, says Pep Guardiola | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has insisted his Manchester City side must simply perform better to win matches, instead of hoping for decisions to land in their favour from match officials.

City’s Premier League title hopes suffered a major setback on Wednesday night as they were held to a 2-2 draw by a struggling Nottingham Forest side at the Etihad Stadium courtesy of two stellar goals from Vitor Pereira’s squad.

With league leaders Arsenal collecting three points at Brighton & Hove Albion, the gap at the summit widened to seven points with City holding a game in hand, increasing the pressure on Pep Guardiola’s men heading into the final stretch of the campaign.

Despite dominating possession for long periods, Manchester City were twice pegged back by a resilient Forest side fighting at the opposite end of the table. Antoine Semenyo’s well-taken volley gave the hosts the lead in the first half, before Morgan Gibbs-White equalised after the restart.

Rodri’s header from a corner restored Manchester City’s advantage and appeared to be setting the club on the way to three points, but a late curling effort from Elliot Anderson beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma ensured the points were shared.

There were also moments of frustration inside the Nottingham Forest penalty area, particularly involving Erling Haaland and goalkeeper Matz Sels, with City appealing for key decisions that ultimately went against them.

Speaking to reporters after City’s disappointing draw, Pep Guardiola was quizzed on a number of decisions that did not go his side’s way inside the opposition penalty area in particular.

“Always I believe we have to do much better, much better to not make interventions from officials,” said Pep Guardiola.

The Catalan coach continued, “Otherwise, we don’t have anything. It’s our responsibility to do better.

“If you have to rely on them with what happened this season, it’s impossible. Nothing more to say.”

While there was audible frustration among supporters regarding certain calls, the manager refused to attribute dropped points to officiating, instead pointing to his team’s inability to kill off the contest.

Defensively, Manchester City were exposed on the counter-attack at times, with Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus posing consistent threats. Donnarumma was called into action on few occasions, underlining the fine margins that ultimately cost the title challengers.

With crucial fixtures still to come – including domestic and European commitments – Pep Guardiola’s message is one of accountability. And if City are to close the gap on Arsenal and sustain their push for silverware, he believes the solution lies not in refereeing decisions, but in raising their own standards.